Up to his neck in a fight for his coaching future, John Hopoate cut a demoralised and dejected figure on Saturday high in the Brookvale Oval stands.
Hopoate could only watch on helplessly as his beloved Manly under-18s were humbled 34-10 by Canberra, their second heavy loss in as many games to start the SG Ball season.
The former Test and NSW winger stepped down as coach of the club's elite junior side during the week, buckling under the NRL's threat of heavy sanctions against the Sea Eagles, including fines and the loss of competition points.
After the NRL refused to register his appointment, citing concerns about his character, the 42-year-old was not allowed to sit with the side's coaching staff on Saturday and instead watched on alongside club patriarch Bob Fulton in the adjoining box.
Former South Sydney and Lebanon forward Darren Maroon stood in as coach as Hopoate was restricted to being an interested onlooker.
Hopoate declined to comment when approached by AAP following the game after watching his side cop a second straight big defeat, following on from their 42-12 loss to Newcastle in round one.
Manly officials fear the saga is taking its toll on the young squad, which includes Hopoate's son Bonnie, who captained the outfit on Saturday.
Hopoate has coached many of the side's players since they were 10 and is described as being well liked by his young troops.
The saga looks set to head for the Supreme Court after the NRL had turned down Hopoate's offer to go into mediation.
A NRL spokesman on Saturday said "the matter is closed as far as we are concerned" and the game's administrators had no plans for any further meetings with Hopoate.
Hopoate's barrister Julieanne Levick has declared her intention to lodge action in the Supreme Court on Monday in the hope of settling the jurisdictional standoff which is at the centre of the dispute.
Manly claim because the SG Ball is administered by the NSWRL, the NRL has no say in who can coach the side.
However, the NRL says all club officials must be registered and it has the power to kybosh any appointments.
The club is hoping the Supreme Court will hand down an injunction to open the door for Hopoate to return to the role.
However, the club says it is unclear whether the path can be cleared in time for him to take his place for next Saturday afternoon's clash with South Sydney at Brookvale.
